Before we explore the benefits of sports massage (of which there are many), it is important to highlight the limitations on how most other practitioners use this service.  As I have mentioned elsewhere on this site, I take a more holistic approach to treating bodily pain and dysfunction.  This is because the body is an interconnected structure, and it is only by treating it as such that we can really address the true cause of your issue.  In almost all cases I see, the cause of an issue is in a different place to where the pain lies.  The body is simply good at compensation and transmitting tension through its connective tissue.  Therefore, if the back hurts, it is likely a problem with the hamstring, if the pain exists in the knee, the foot or hip may be the culprit - the list goes on...  Therefore this knowledge of the interconnected body simply renders the symptoms-based approach taken by most practitioners much less effective.  This is essentially the 'bury your head in the sand approach', as the problem is never solved, and you simply learn to mask it - much like taking painkillers!  Quite often I receive requests for a back and shoulder massage, because that is where the pain lies, but I always strive to encourage my patients to get the most out of their treatment by exploring the culprit areas.  After all, if all we needed to do to truly solve an ailment was to rub the area that hurts, there would be no need for healthcare professionals at all!

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Sports Massage involves manipulating the soft tissue structures of the body (muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia) to benefit pretty much anyone!  This can be a high level athlete who is looking to improve their performance e.g. by optimising their recovery between training sessions and competitions, an individual who undertakes their activity at a lower level but wishes to avoid injury, or someone who wants to treat/prevent aches and pains that occur in their everyday life, which has nothing to do with sport!.

 

Even if you do not get injured regularly, sports massage will still benefit you, as it helps to eliminate tightness and muscle imbalances that every one of us have to some degree, and arise from regular, repetitive actions that are typical in training.  It will also help to improve your sporting performance and prevent issues occurring in the future.

 

Massage helps our bodies manage this strain our bodies go through, preventing issues from arising in the first place.  ​